In the Environment Canada publication entitled The Secrets of the St.Lawrence: Marine Weather Guide, it is indicated that, during ebb tides with north-easterly winds, there are high waves in the channel between the island (Bic) and shore due to the opposing wind and current. These conditions were present on the morning of the occurrence. At 0900, the automatic weather observation station at le Bicquette recorded winds from the north-east at 18 to 24 knots. At that time, the tide was at its lowest ebb. Further, when the depth of water decreases to half the length of the waves, the wave characteristics begin to be affected. As the depth of water decreases past that point, the length and speed of the wave decreases, and the wave becomes steeper. The height of the waves remains unchanged, but they become increasingly steep. This effect is more pronounced if the depth of water decreases slowly. The kayakers capsized where the already low depth of water was slowly decreasing. This effect, combined with the falling tide, the strong north-easterly winds and the contour of the sea-bed, contributed to rapid deterioration of the state of the sea. The guide had three weeks' sea kayak experience and this was his eighth trip in Bic Harbour. He had never before encountered north-easterly winds. The fact that the guide could not get his VHF radiotelephone out of his kayak to call for help did not cause any undue delay; ambulances arrived on the scene before the kayakers were pushed ashore by the wind.Analysis In the Environment Canada publication entitled The Secrets of the St.Lawrence: Marine Weather Guide, it is indicated that, during ebb tides with north-easterly winds, there are high waves in the channel between the island (Bic) and shore due to the opposing wind and current. These conditions were present on the morning of the occurrence. At 0900, the automatic weather observation station at le Bicquette recorded winds from the north-east at 18 to 24 knots. At that time, the tide was at its lowest ebb. Further, when the depth of water decreases to half the length of the waves, the wave characteristics begin to be affected. As the depth of water decreases past that point, the length and speed of the wave decreases, and the wave becomes steeper. The height of the waves remains unchanged, but they become increasingly steep. This effect is more pronounced if the depth of water decreases slowly. The kayakers capsized where the already low depth of water was slowly decreasing. This effect, combined with the falling tide, the strong north-easterly winds and the contour of the sea-bed, contributed to rapid deterioration of the state of the sea. The guide had three weeks' sea kayak experience and this was his eighth trip in Bic Harbour. He had never before encountered north-easterly winds. The fact that the guide could not get his VHF radiotelephone out of his kayak to call for help did not cause any undue delay; ambulances arrived on the scene before the kayakers were pushed ashore by the wind. None of the inexperienced kayakers had any sea kayak experience. The guide had never before encountered north-easterly winds in Bic Harbour. The guide did not hear the updated weather forecast calling for stronger winds. The combined effect of the falling tide, the strong north-easterly wind and the contour of the sea-bed contributed to the rapid deterioration of the state of the sea. The inexperienced kayakers all capsized almost at the same time. The guide assembled them and went to get help, taking one of the kayakers with him. The kayaking company does not own a boat which could be used to recover persons in the water, and no other boat was readily available at the marina.Findings None of the inexperienced kayakers had any sea kayak experience. The guide had never before encountered north-easterly winds in Bic Harbour. The guide did not hear the updated weather forecast calling for stronger winds. The combined effect of the falling tide, the strong north-easterly wind and the contour of the sea-bed contributed to the rapid deterioration of the state of the sea. The inexperienced kayakers all capsized almost at the same time. The guide assembled them and went to get help, taking one of the kayakers with him. The kayaking company does not own a boat which could be used to recover persons in the water, and no other boat was readily available at the marina. The group of inexperienced kayakers undertook a trip in Bic Harbour as they believed that the state of the sea would be favourable. Because of the sudden changes in weather conditions and the contour of the sea-bed, the waves became increasingly steep and capsized the kayakers' craft. As no boat was available to recover the kayakers, they stayed in the water longer, and they suffered from mild hypothermia.Causes and Contributing Factors The group of inexperienced kayakers undertook a trip in Bic Harbour as they believed that the state of the sea would be favourable. Because of the sudden changes in weather conditions and the contour of the sea-bed, the waves became increasingly steep and capsized the kayakers' craft. As no boat was available to recover the kayakers, they stayed in the water longer, and they suffered from mild hypothermia.